As a UK script consultant, script writer for hire and script doctor I get work from all over the world. But, a lot of the commissions and projects I get involved with come (naturally) from the UK and our closest neighbours in Europe.
Labour’s Gordon Brown introduced tax relief for film investment and production back in 2006, and since then the production side of the UK film industry has really taken off. With major Hollywood films choosing the UK as their base of choice.
Since the referendum the worsening value of the pound has made the UK even more attractive to productions from outside the UK, but the real damage that Brexit will do is the possible end of our partnership with Creative Europe.
The hoary Tories have committed in some way to try and maintain European co-operation over the arts and creative funding for film and TV, but the details are sketchy, on this, and everything else about Brexit…
Producers looking now at possible bases for major films in 2019 might well be taking into account this uncertainty. Would you choose a studio base in UK for a $100 film shooting after March 29 when it appears the UK might be grinding to a halt? It might not of course, but nobody knows, and that sort of uncertainty will make studios and producers look the other way (I know I would).
Let’s hope that something gets sorted out and that politically 2019 is a better year for the world. Yes, the arts are notoriously left wing, politically correct and support diversity and equality – an industry that many people see as filled with lecturing ‘lovies’ or ‘champagne socialists’ filled with the already rich elite, flouncing about in front a camera with their pals from Oxford – there is some of that. But Creative Europe helped to manage the balance and gave chances to those projects without major backing and without the sponsors of the showbiz ‘elite’.
Like everything else about Brexit (if it does go ahead) the showbiz elite won’t be affected much, it’s just everyone else that will suffer.
Matthew Cooper has been a script writer for hire and script doctor for over 20 years. He’s written for most of the UK soaps, including writing award winning episodes of Emmerdale, EastEnders, Hollyoaks and Family Affairs and has been BAFTA shortlisted and Royal Television Society nominated as a script writer. He’s also a leading UK script consultant. You can find some of his broadcast credits on the IMDb. You can get in touch with Matthew on matcoop23@yahoo.co.uk or hire him on Peopleperhour
His directorial debut Markham will be released in 2019.